Community + Server /thoughts

Hmmm... is there a way to include both FL & CF in the whole package?

I don't like "advertising" other mods out here, but you know of this particular mod that offers Freelancer for free because the game itself is no longer available in the stores, or can barely be found and hats off to those who offer the FL iso for free.

However, is the Freelancer iso copyrighted or isn't it, I have no idea. But if it's not, shouldn't be best if the installer actually installs both the game and the mod? (example: Install -> Freelancer: Crossfire)

- Just an idea.

Uuum... I was actually talking about a FL community which is very famous and has a lot of members (again... I'd rather not advertise other mods here) and they got the FL iso uploaded alongside their mod on their website.

But other than that, yeah... you're totally right.

Mhm and I always thought that they got the rights from Microsoft, but now, I somehow doubt it. But who knows though and besides, I don't care, lol... I really don't. All that matters is the Freelancer Community (in general), because this game is a masterpiece and it's a shame that it's slowly dying.

Anyways, I stop with the 'off-topic'.

Here's another idea though:

Aside from the "Prior to Installation" checks, what if there is an Option to check if all files have been installed correctly? After installing the mod, an "integrity check" (if you will) would run a check to see if everything has been installed as it should.

Well, I have a better idea.

What if when the Police license is mounted there are sirens added to the ship? You know... just like when someone is docking at a station/base, there are lights that are flickering and the sirens can function in a similar way when enabled via a console command like uum... "/siren on/off" for example or a key that when pressed can enable/disable them.

Those sirens can be indeed in blue, but the license itself can remain green. IMHO, I don't care what the license colors are (just to point that out again).

And if that is achievable, maybe we can figure something out for the rest of the RPs (Smuggler/Pirate/Mercenary/ASF/CSF).

Quote from SWAT_OP-R8R

Now the user can select where to install Crossfire.
Unlike before the user can NOT select the folder where Crossfire will be installed. You only have the choice to select on which drive Crossfire is going to be installed. A default installation folder will be created automatically on that drive. This will prevent that users install Crossfire into a folder which requires special user rights. Installing the mod into "c:\program files(86)\" won't be possible anymore.

I understand the reason, but trashing me a freelancer directory in the root of any of my drives.... I really don't like it.
If possible, the installer should check access rights before installing into a selected directory,
or if that is too complicated - just deny c:\program files as directory.

Honestly, I would call that vandalism if you write into one of my roots without an option to change install path.
I have a lot of games installed, there's NONE that doesn't give me a choice, not even very old w95 games that had no clue of access rights.
And as you said, access rights is a very custom setting, so you can't be sure that you have root write-access to any drive/volume neither, so I don't think that's a valid argument. In my opinion there's only one directory that makes problems on windows (if a program wants to write into it's program directory, which is unfortunately but inevitable the case for CF), that's the programs folder that is restricted to installer, if you deny install to there, I think there're not many problems ahead.

Quote from SWAT_OP-R8R

And just for clarification. Over the years I have observed people installing CF is the most ridiculous places... like the user folder... the very restricted apps folder... in x64 folders etc.

To exclude one or even a few folders which could be problematic does not prevent people to find other equally problematic locations. Therefore the decision to use a drive selection instead is the best of all choices. If you don't like it you are free to move the folder... or you are free to use the old installer (with all its disadvantages).

I will not move program folders around, if you decide to hardwire the installation-directory I just will not install.
That's sure a personal favor, you should go on with what you think its best for the player-base.